Can Daily Harvest's High-Protein Smoothies Actually Keep You Full? I Tried 4 Flavors to Find Out

Summer came early where I live, and that means it’s already hot and muggy by 9 am. Those aren’t the mornings when you want to scramble eggs or cook a nice big bowl of oatmeal. Smoothies are typically my answer, but we all know the struggle: you blend up a smoothie packed with fruit and maybe veggies, only to find yourself rummaging through the pantry an hour later, desperate for a snack.
Then I came across Daily Harvest’s high-protein smoothies. Each one contains around 20 grams of plant-based protein in addition to the company’s usual array of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and seeds. The question is: could these actually keep me full?
To find out, I tried several. Read on to learn the verdict.

Dark Chocolate Protein Smoothie
I really only have one response to chocolate: yes, please. This is the most decadent in this line, though there are no added sugars: the sweetness comes from dates and apple puree. The result is a rich, chocolatey smoothie that isn’t overly sweet. I found this one to be quite filling; at 350 calories (plus whatever liquid you add; I’m a fan of unsweetened almond milk), 20 grams of protein, and 11 grams of fiber, it was substantial enough to keep me full for most of the morning. Not bad, for something that presents more like a dessert than a breakfast.

Mixed Berry Protein Smoothie
If you’re looking for something that tastes more like a traditional fruit smoothie, this is it. The berry blend delivers a bright, slightly tart flavor that balances the smoothie’s natural sweetness. It also feels lighter and more refreshing than some of the richer, creamier options. Still, this was more like a substantial snack than a meal replacement. At 230 calories, it did a decent job of keeping me full, but the satiety didn’t last as long. I’d recommend accompanying this one with a slice of toast and peanut butter if you’re looking for a more substantial breakfast (or save it for a post-workout recovery snack).

Tropical Green Protein Smoothie
This was the most refreshing of the bunch, but also the one where I could detect the protein powder the most. Since Daily Harvest is entirely plant-based, it uses pea protein to give its smoothies an extra boost, which I find tends to impart an earthy flavor. It didn’t taste quite as indulgent as the chocolate smoothie, and it was the one I reached for first on a hot morning when I wanted something nutritious and quick. However, like the mixed berry version, the smoothie only has 230 calories, and it wasn’t long before I was raiding my stash of peanut butter pretzels. I would position this more as a post-workout snack, especially if you want a protein hit without drinking something that feels overly rich.

Nutty Banana Protein Smoothie
This was the flavor that felt most like a complete breakfast, thanks to its combination of banana and nutty notes. The banana provides natural sweetness while the nut flavor adds richness and depth. This smoothie definitely tasted more like a treat; though, like all the options I tried, it wasn’t overly sweet, just rich. At 470 calories, it’s not as light as some of the others, but it was filling enough that I actually struggled to finish it. On the “keeping me full” scale, this one ranked the highest, and is the one I’d consider a true meal replacement.
In Conclusion
So, can Daily Harvest's High Protein Smoothies actually keep you full?
The answer is mostly yes…but some flavors are more successful than others. The higher-calorie options, particularly Nutty Banana and Dark Chocolate, felt substantial enough to replace my breakfast on busy mornings. The lighter fruit-forward blends were refreshing and satisfying, but I definitely found myself reaching for a snack before the morning was over.
I will say that Daily Harvest’s protein line has some of the more filling smoothies I've tried, and they do a good job of masking most of the protein flavor that I can usually taste immediately. Just be prepared to choose your flavor strategically based on whether you’re looking for a meal replacement, post-workout recovery, or a healthy afternoon snack.
Interested in other meal delivery programs? Check out our list of RD-approved favorites.
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Katie Tuttle
Author
Katie Tuttle is an editor and writer specializing in food, nutrition, and product testing. Her work has appeared in EatingWell, Food & Wine, The Spruce Eats, and Real Simple. She h...

Ally Hirschlag
Editor
Ally Hirschlag is an award-winning journalist with over 10 years of experience editing and writing health, fitness, beauty, lifestyle, and science content. Her work has appeared in...